The Reign of Wizardry Read Online Free PDF

to Knossos, to face whatis called the justice of the Dark One.”
    The little Babylonian trembled and turned slightly green. “Perhaps you have heard of the justice of the Dark One,” he gasped. “It is the most fearful fate that can befall a human being. For the victim is sent beyond human justice. He is thrust into the black Labyrinth, beneath the palace of Minos, that is the dwelling of the Dark One. And that evil deity,it is said, devours both body and soul of all who enter there.”
    Snish repressed another shudder, and blinked hopefully at Theseus. “I had induced the Hittite captain to post a bond for me,” his shrill voice hurried on. “And I hoped that he could be persuaded to escape from the convoy tonight, and sail for Egypt. But that would have brought all the wizardry of Knossos upon my trail.”
    The yelloweyes of Snish followed Cyron’s smoking lances. “It is most fortunate for me, Captain Firebrand, that you took the ship,” he wheezed hastily. “That is, if you can dissuade this pirate from his evil intent toward the smallest, the kindest, and the most insignificant of wizards. Save me, Captain Firebrand!” His voice became a squeal. “Let my small magic serve you!”
    Cyron tugged at the arm of Theseus,and his fingers trembled. “Let me at the wizard,” he begged huskily. “For the fleet is coming fast, and the northward sky has an evil look.”
    “Wait, Gamecock,” urged Theseus. “Perhaps I can use his magic.”
    Snish stirred hopefully in the ropes. “Indeed you can, Captain Firebrand.” His yellow eyes lifted to the rising black clouds. “And I suggest, Captain Gamecock,” he shrilled, “that you had betterleave me, soon. Because, as I told you, I have difficulty with the weather. That storm is doubtless following me.”
    Apprehension had mounted above Cyron’s cooling wrath. He flung his smoking pike down upon the deck, and shouted at his men to make ready with the sail. “Take him, Captain Firebrand,” he muttered. “But watch him. For no wizard can be trusted—not even such a cowardly dog of a wizardas this!”
    He leaped to the pirate’s deck, and axes flashed to cut the lashings. “Farewell, Captain Firebrand!” His shout came hoarse and strained. “Beware the wizard!”
    The red sail went up—for there was still a breath of wind in the south. The Mycenean’s long whip came to hissing life, and flashing oars pulled the galley toward the northward strait, to meet the coming storm.
    Alone with Snishon the prize, for even the oar slaves had been herded aboard the pirate, Theseus cut the ropes that had bound the little wizard, and sent him to take the steering oars.
    Theseus himself climbed the stays and loosed the huge yellow sail to the fitful wind. He had it spread by the time the south wind died and the first cold blast of the storm struck from the north.
    “Which way, Captain Firebrand?”came the anxious piping of Snish. “Shall we steer to the east, and seek to escape the Cretans under the darkness of the storm?”
    The head of Theseus lifted high, and his red hair whipped in the wind. He looked across the sea, at a long line of black sails advancing upon that amazing south wind. At last he turned, grave-eyed, back to the little wizard.
    “No,” he said quietly. “Steer straight tomeet them.”
    The brown frog-face turned faintly green once more, and then gnarled hands trembled on the steering oar. “Aye, Captain Firebrand,” wheezed Snish, “we steer straight to meet them.” His bald head shook ominously. “But my feeble arts tell me that I should have done better to remain with the Gamecock, even at the cost of my eyes!”

F OUR

    L OOKING AFT again, when he had the square yellow sail securely set, Theseus was not greatly surprised to see that Snish, at the steering oars, had resumed his feminine guise.
    Tai Leng smiled at him, with a smoldering light in her long, almond eyes. A provocative twist of her tall, golden body moved Theseus briefly to